Bus Transport from Porto

[ajloughran]

Hi,
Arriving in Porto on 23rd March heading to Santiago. Have planned most of it but I have not decided what to do about getting out of Porto. I have read that the first section (Porto to Vilarhino) is somewhat unpleasent owing to the volume of traffic and general walking conditions along busy roads.

I am considering two options:
taking the metro to Araujo,
taking a bus towards Vilar do Pinherio or Vilarhino.

I have information on the metro to Araujo but cannot get any information on bus transport.

I would be grateful if a list member could give me information (or direct me to a website) on bus travel from Porto to Vilar do Pinherio or Vilarhino.

many thanks,

Arthur Loughran

 

[Via Lusitana]

Hello Arthur,

You can try this site - http://www.itinerarium.net/wizard.aspx - but I think you might have to go from Porto to Maia and then in Maia get a local bus to Vilar do Pinheiro or Vilarinho.

Sorry I cannot be of more help, we are based in LIsbon and I am not sure of the public transport system up north.

Hope this information is of help.

Bom Caminho,
Helena

 

[viajero]

I took a bus from the center of Porto (Praca de liberdade) to Maia and then walked from Maia to Sao Pedro de Rates. As I recall there were frequent buses from Porto to Maia.

 

[ajloughran]

Hi,
Thanks for your feedback.

On closer inspection of the Porto Metro map I have found a Metro stop at Vilar do Pinheiro (Line B). Using the superb maps on "The Walking Pilgrim" website I found that we can connect with the Camino quite easily and from there walk to Rates (21km).

The Walking Pilgrim website (http://pilgrim.peterrobins.co.uk/routes/list.html) is worth its weight in gold so thanks to Peter Robbins for all his work in providing such a valuable asset.

regards,
Arthur Loughran

 

[chrisinvermont]

There are 2 other choices.
1). We walked out of Porto from the Cathedral last September. While at least one guide describes the walk as difficult and somewhat dangerous, we found it to be rather pleasant, even in the "suburbs." The waymarks had apparently be recently repainted and were fairly easy to follow. From Araujo, we followed Brierley's "alternative" route to avoid having to cross a four lane motorway. It had been waymarked, so was easy to follow. Just about every road crossing was equipt with a pedestrian light, too.
2). There is a metro stop at Custio, a hundred meters or so North of the sacred oak in Araujo.

We really enjoyed the walk to Santiago. We hope you will, too.

Chris (in Vermont)

 

[ria]

Hi Arthur,
It is not that unpleasant to walk out of Porto. I did it last year, and although the first bit is kind of 'townish' it is not a terrible thing to do. In fact I quite liked the first stage to Vilarinho. It always gives me a good feeling to walk 'everything'. So I can't give you any info on public transport
ria